The Marion Island Newsletter | February 2015

H U T R E V I E W ANDERING Repetto’s WINGMAN H O W W I D E ? BIRD FAMILY OF THE MONTH SIGHTING MARION’S PETRELS RUDDY EVENTS TURN- VOLLEY STONE! BALL!

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MARION MEET THE KEALERS Killer whale & seal researchers

The

DANIËL DANIËL KOTZÉ

LOW DE VRIES DE LOW

LOW VRIES LOW DE DANIËL KOTZÉ DANIËL 3LETTER FROM THE EDITOR. 13SEVEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T Out of sight out of mind. KNOW ABOUT MARION ISLAND. 3ENTANGLEMENTS Frank sheds light on some less-known facts. Fur seals suffering at the hand of pollution. 14FANTASTIC FLORA: KERGUELEN 4NEWSFLASH. Marion’s News24. CABBAGE. Marion’s wild vegetable. 5THE PHOTO GALLERY. 15PEI’S EALRY NAMES. John Cooper COVER IMAGE See February through M71’s camera lenses. takes us back to the Ross Expedition in 1839. Daniël Kotzé 9MARION’S PETREL FAMILY. 15MEET THE KEALERS. The men doing Wandering David tells us more about the tubenoses. research on both killer whales and seals. 10QUICK FACT: HOW WIDE? 18JANUARY ACCORDING TO THE What is a Wandering Albatross’ wingspan? METKASSIES. Joe talks rain stats. 11REPETTO’S HUT REVIEW. 19EVENTS. Volleyball and braai parties! The readers’ round island continues. 20TEAM COLLAGE. What M71 has been up 12MARION FM. What you want to to during February. and don’t want to hear while in a hut.

February 2015 | 2 see? Plastic waste kills Letter from the approximately 100,000 marine annually! If I look at how people are polluting and destroying the surface of the DANIËL KOTZÉ planet, I shudder to imagine the EDITOR state of our oceans, out of sight Out of sight, out of mind of any human eye. Chances are that we will probably only When putting together an issue comprehend the value of a of The Wanderer, I always try to healthy ocean when it is already highlight the beauty and pristine too late. It’s sad to think that the nature of the island. This month greatest majority of Marion’s however, I felt compelled to also fauna are already endangered give readers a glimpse of the and that my grandchildren flipside of the coin. Breeding on might never witness the majestic one of the most isolated islands dance of a Wandering Albatross on earth is unfortunately not (p.10). It’s not all doom and enough to keep these animals gloom though. People are, albeit from the cruel claws of human slowly, changing the way they pollution, as seen in the article consume. You don’t have to free on fur seal entanglements a seal from a net to make a (p.3).These are the lucky few difference, you simply have to seals that might survive, but recycle. I hope this issue is an what about all of those we don’t interesting read, enjoy! YINHLA SHIHLOMULE MENTS TEXT BY LOW DE VRIES LIEZL PRETORIUS Have you ever wondered why buy plastic, but after seeing all chimpanzees throw poop at the beach debris and animals people? Have a look at these that get hurt from it, I will never pictures and then ask yourself buy a plastic bag again. I will why more animals don’t fling also make a greater effort to their excrement at people. recycle. Did you know there is an Daniël and I recently found three entire island of plastic debris in badly entangled fur seals. the Pacific? The size of this Luckily we could remove the ‘island’ is estimate to be LOW DE VRIES pieces of rope around their between 700 000 km2 and 15 necks that were slowly starving 000 000 km2. I truly hope these or suffocating them. Fortunately images not only make you sad, these seals now have a good but encourage you to rethink chance to recover from the the way you use and dispose of serious wounds, but that is material. hardly the point. This should never happen. I know that I am

one of those people who often DANIËLKOTZÉ forget to take canvas bags to DANIËLKOTZÉ the supermarket and have to February 2015 | 3 AGULHAS II FLASH DATES CONFIRMED TEXT BY DANIËL KOTZÉ The Department of Environmental M71 BUFFS Affairs has announced the preliminary dates that the SA Agulhas II head south ARE HERE! for Marion Island’s 72nd relief voyage. TEXT BY FRANK VENTER The ship will depart from the V&A th Protecting our scalps against Waterfront in Cape Town on the 9 of sunburn and keeping our April 2015 and should reach Marion on th island manes under control, the the 13 . The return voyage is th humble Buff® has been a scheduled to start on the 10 of May, Marion staple for years. We are reaching Cape Town on 15 May if all very excited to announce that goes well. If you have a friend or family our very own M71 Buff® is member on the island, be sure to be at currently in production! The East Pier to welcome back the “red taxi” design contains the names of and her passengers. team members, as well as incorporating elements from everyday life on Marion. We would like to extend our gratitude to the guys from Adventure Inc. for the sponsorship. Go and check out www.adventureinc.co.za. M71 would also like to thank the incredibly talented Jennifer Moodie for her effort with this unique and personal design. We cannot wait to take delivery of these special Buffs®. DANIËL KOTZÉ VAGRANT RUDDY TURNSTONE TEXT BY DANIËL KOTZÉ Marion Island delivered yet another vagrant bird species, this time in the form of a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). The bird was seen and photographed by the birders on 8 February at Macaroni Bay. Four days later Vonica had another sighting of this individual at East Cape. This isJAWS the 13th record of a RuddyTITUS Turnstone on Marion Island since 1987. These waders are

mainly summer visitors to southern Africa from ALEXIS OSBORNE the Northern Hemisphere, although some individuals overwinter in the region. February 2015 | 4 The Photo Gallery COMPILED BY DANIËL KOTZÉ February Frames Bringing the summer season to a peak, February provided ample sunny days (and spectacular sunsets) to keep M71’s shutters clicking. Here are a few favourites. Alexis Osborne Sunset Kiss After a long walk from Watertunnel- to Mixed Pickle hut, Vonica, Liezl and I were awarded with this beautiful sunset. Only to realize that these Wandering were enjoying it even more. After all February is the month of love….

How? Canon EOS 350D; 1/1000 sec; f9; ISO 400.

February 2015 | 5 The Photo Gallery Alexis Osborne

Lovers’ Hill I found these two pairs of Wandering Albatrosses at Goney Plain. They were not easily bothered by my presence; I guess they only had eyes for their significant other.

How? Canon EOS 350D; 1/4000 sec; f6.3; ISO 400.

Liezl Pretorius

Love Mom Obviously happy to see its mom again, this little fur seal pup kept on imitating her. This kept on going for a while and included scratching, lying down, getting up, looking around…and that’s when I got this perfect photo of the pair!

How? Nikon Coolpix; 1/250 sec; f3.9; ISO 220.

Sweet Dreams

I found these two (noticeably exhausted) fur seals at Van den Boogaard, close to base. They did not even wake up when I walked past them twice. It is obviously exhausting to raise a pup and for the pup, to be playing the whole day!

How? Nikon Coolpix; 1/640 sec; f4; ISO 125.

February 2015 | 6 The Photo Gallery Daniël Kotzé

Something on my face? While doing TAPS at Rockhopper Bay close to base, I found this Sub-Antarctic fur seal pup playing in a rock pool covered in algae. The pup’s serious expression was contradicted by its algae-covered whiskers.

How? Canon EOS 700D; 1/400 sec; f5; ISO 400.

Turning Heads

The Grey-headed Albatross chicks are growing up fast! Soon the chick in this picture will be as beautiful as the adult in the background. For now however, that downy coat is essential for those biting Antarctic winds. I took this picture at Grey-headed Albatross Ridge.

How? Canon EOS 700D; 1/1250 sec; f5.6; ISO 400.

February 2015 | 7 The Photo Gallery Low de Vries

Lazing

This big male elephant seal was lying next to one of the previous beach masters at Trypot Beach. I snuck up and got down on the ground to get the iconic three peaked Fred’s hill in the background of the shot.

How? Canon 700D; 1/4000 sec; f1.8; ISO 100.

Taunt to the Sealers On one TAPS session I was taking some photos of the tropicalis pups, my favourite animals on the island, and found this little guy. It wasn’t scared of me at all, but was just a bit too cheeky.

How? Canon 700D; 1/500 sec; f1.8; ISO 100.

Louise Gadney

Seal Pride I had to take a picture when I saw this majestic pose of an Antarctic fur seal female at Trypot Beach as she surveyed the surroundings from her “throne”. It reminds me of the magnificence of God’s creation.

How? Nikon Coolpix; 1/500 sec; f6.4; ISO 80.

February 2015 | 8 BIRD BIRD FAMILYMONTH THE OF CALLING HOME. A White- chinned Petrel close to Rope Beach calling for its nest mate at dusk.

MARION’S TEXT BY DAVID GREEN PETREL FAMILY

This month we deal with the most diverse bird group at Marion - family Procellariidae - which comprises most of the petrel species (tubenoses).

DANIËL KOTZÉ DAVID GREEN Broadly, the petrel family consists of four impressive depths in pursuit of prey. Possibly groups namely, the fulmarine petrels, gadfly the most specialised, however, are the prions, petrels, prions and shearwaters. Marion has 10 which have bills uniquely adapted to act as breeding species of this large family, which are sieves, allowing them to filter krill and other spread loosely across these four groups. small crustaceans from the water.

Holy origins Songs of the night The term ‘petrel’, which has puzzled me for Most species are almost exclusively nocturnal in years, is in fact a reference to St Peter’s walking their habits of returning to their nests, when the on water. This is most plainly seen in their take- island comes alive in a multitude of offs when they run along the water’s surface to calls. Because of the heterogeneous gain speed. Many species, particularly the storm distribution of different petrel petrels (discussed in the December issue) have a species around the island, each of remarkable ability to ‘dance’ over the sea the field huts has its own unique surface. Others might occasionally make a few chorus. For example, if you stayed rapid running steps in order to maintain at Grey-headed hut, you would be momentum while saving precious wing beats as lulled into a slumber by the whistling they soar low over the ocean. of Soft-plumaged Petrels. A night at Swartkop hut will see you Built to last drift away with the deep dove-like Typical of pelagic , petrels are strong cooing of hundreds of Blue Petrels. And fliers and can cover vast distances while you might find it difficult to sleep with foraging. The majority of the larger species the deafening choir of White-chinned forage within the uppermost layers of the water KOTZÉ DANIËL VAGRANT. Southern Fulmars do not breed on Marion, but two column, but some are capable of diving to individuals have been sighted during the last 20 years. February 2015 | 9 MARION’S PETREL FAMILY petrels at Mixed Pickle (especially in late- and while most of these records are of true September). There are nonetheless exceptions vagrancy, two species may have a different story to the nocturnal rule. Salvin’s Prions wheel and to tell. The first is the Pintado Petrel, which is dart around in large numbers over both sea and seen quite frequently, particularly around land. They are especially numerous on windy Kildalkey Bay. To date there are no records of days when the air seems to erupt with little blue- breeding by Pintados on the island, but in late grey birds. On calm days, massive rafts of them January I saw one disappear into the cliffs south gather on the surface where they move about in of Kildalkey Bay, and reappear a few minutes dynamic groups, possibly from one prey patch to later when it headed out to sea. While this by no another. Among the multitudes of Salvin’s means definitive, it is a tantalising sugges- Prions, a careful search of the coastal cliff might tion that the Pintado Petrel breeds on the be rewarded with a glimpse of a Fairy Prion island, and has thus far gone undocumen- swooping in and out of view. A third exception is ted. The second is a sighting of a White- the White-chinned Petrel, which although headed Petrel during night-birding in 1997, appearing to be predominantly crepuscular, can which has led to similar suggestions of also be seen coming and going during the day. this species breeding on Marion. Uncertainties such as these are a good Mystery Petrels example of how, despite being the object There have of course been a number of vagrant of years of intense study, the island still petrels recorded around the island over the years clings to its mysteries. PINTADO PETREL KOTZÉ DANIËL

FAIRY PRION SALVIN’S PRION GREAT-WINGED PETREL DANIËLKOTZÉ

KERGUELEN PETREL BLUE PETREL

SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL

DANIËLKOTZÉ

DANIËLKOTZÉ DANIËLKOTZÉ

GREY PETREL DANIËL KOTZÉ DANIËL Q U I C K F A C T BY DANIËL KOTZÉ

The Wandering Albatross is not only the largest in the world, it also boasts SMART the widest wingspan of all birds on earth. Have you ever =1¼ CARS! wondered how wide that is exactly? 3.3m!

FebruaryJanuary 2015 2015 | | 10 10 DANIËL KOTZÉ A Reader’s Round Island: REPETTO’S TEXT BY LOW DE VRIES Wet, wet, wet…

Repetto’s hut is nestled in the shadow of Repetto’s Hill, one of the many volcanic cones on Marion. This specific one is known as a single cone as it stands alone, and at an impressive 369m. The hill was named after Arthur Ernest Repetto, a Tristan da Cunha islander who was the cook on the very first expedition to Marion.

DANIËL KOTZÉ First impressions of Repetto’s hut can be neatly Cape Davis to Repetto’s summarised in a hut book (equivalent of a visitor’s There is not much to say about the route to book) entry last year by Yinhla Shihlomule (by the Repetto’s because it really is an extremely short way, learning how to pronounce my fellow walk, not even an hour. That is if you stick to the sealer’s last name is one of my greatest accom- path of course. Luckily it is a well trodden path plishments this year): and virtually impossible to lose, even on your first walk. From Cape Davis you cross Wild Cat Creek (also usually dry), go around the bottom of Lou- “If the hut is wet and the se-kop and head for Repetto’s Hill. You go right past Boot Rock (in a manner of speaking, since it’s river dry, does that mean I in the ocean) and soon you will be behind Cat should sleep in the river and Trap Hill, named for the enormous cat trap behind it. From here you are just around the corner from get water from the hut?” the hut. You could take a little detour and walk to

the Boot Rock beaches, which I recommend. DANIËLKOTZÉ Water is a constant problem at Repetto’s, our final There stop on our round island. The hut leaks and the HOT SPOT. Repetto’s is river is often dry. But it matters little, after tonight the only spot where the we are back at base and soon back in South elusive Kerguelen Petrel DANIËL KOTZÉ Africa. Mopping the wet floor is a small price to has been seen during this pay for one last night out in the wild landscape of expedition. Marion Island. February 2015 | 11 HUT REVIEW: REPETTO’S

are some remarkable arches that has been walking around like little troopers and seeing the formed by years of waves crashing against the first flight of a Wandering Albatross? Killer whales! cliffs. After this you can head up to the hut for You saw killer whales! It wasn’t always easy, but it your final night. was always good. The weather might have beaten you down at times, you have been cold and wet, Reflecting on your round island sunburnt and windblown, but looking back it was Before you go to bed though, make a cup of hut all worth it. Few others have seen the things you coffee and go sit on the catwalk, listen to the have seen this year, and most of us on the island White-chinned Petrels and reminisce about this will not trade this experience for anything. We epic trip you have had. Think about Kildalkey miss home (where it has been said there are Bay with the millions of penguins, the wind that cream soda rivers), but truth be told, we have a destroyed you on the way to Watertunnel, and second home now. the water tunnels themselves. Gazella Plain and the sight of the bright orange Grey-headed hut BLISS. Repetto’s not only boasts the best view of Prince Edward appearing after Santa Rosa Valley, and the Island, but you can see crisp golden sunrises from the comfort of spectacular Good Hope Bay. Remember the icy the toilet seat. winds blowing from Antarctica over Rooks Peninsula and the caves you explored after Rook’s hut. How about that treacherous walk over the toffee lava and the mires before Swartkop? Amphitheatre and Kaalkoppie, Mix Pickle Cove, Triegaardt Bay, the mist over Azorellakop and he views from Cape Davis. Remember those beach masters, skua chicks DANIËL KOTZÉ WHO NEEDS REPETTO’SMcD’S? MARIONFM HUT BURGERS TEXT BY LOUISE GADNEY Recipe by sealers Liezl and Daniël At 8pm all field huts turn on their radios to Patties: Add packet of Imana soy mince to report in to base, receive the weather predict- 125ml water. Add 125ml oats, mayo (in stead of tion from Gerard and listen to dedicated music egg), mixed herbs, pepper and parsley. Panfry. by one of the local DJ’s. This is known on Buns: For 8 burgers, heat 500ml milk, 60ml oil, 2 Marion as ‘comms’ or ‘radio sched’. tablespoons sugar and a pinch of salt and add (all at once) to 2.5 cups of flour and 1 packet of What you don’t want to hear from base: yeast. Add flour if needed for a soft dough. Roll out to a sheet and cut circles. Bake in pan on low • Tomorrow there will be gale force winds, heat (both sides) until continuous heavy rain and intermittent snow golden. Finish off throughout the day extending into the next your king sized day. Mist could also be a problem. burger with mayo, • We’re all having a lekker braai here at base ham, plum tomatoes, with ice cold beers! gherkins, cheddar • This is Gough speaking. (from base) and What you do want to hear from base: chutney. This is next level hut cooking. • We have a hot bath, masseur and gluvein Nom nom nom! waiting for you on your return. DANIËLKOTZÉ • Someone is coming to help carry your backpack to base. February 2015 | 12 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MARION ISLAND TEXT BY FRANK VENTER By now, most of our readers are Marion experts in their own right. They know their Sooties from their Salvin’s, and can recite the names of all the field huts...in the correct order. However, as our year on Marion is coming to a close, we are also running out of Wanderer issues to fill with interesting stories! So to avoid missing out on your dose of island trivia, here are a few things you might not have known about this island. DANIËL KOTZÉ 1. THERE HAVE BEEN VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS From ancient lava flows, to towering scoria cones, Marion’s volcanic origins are evident wherever you look. The (PEI’s) are, in fact, the peaks of an undersea shield volcano. Originally thought to be extinct, researchers documented a volcanic eruption in 1980. The eruption, which occurred at Kaalkoppie, resulted in two new hills and lava flows. A more recent, smaller eruption occurred in 2004. 2. A BUG’S LIFE Marion is cold, wet and windy. Not an environment favourable to insect life right? Wrong! The island is in fact home to aphids, weevils, fruit flies and others. The most intriguing of which is DANIËL KOTZÉ Pringleophaga marioni, Marion’s flightless moth. 3. CHARLES DARWIN VISITED MARION On Christmas day, 1873 the crew of the H.M.S Challenger sighted Marion Island. Shortly thereafter a group of naturalists, Charles Darwin among them, went ashore. The party was delighted to find new species of plants, animals and insects, while those aboard the ship completed a map of the PEI’s coastlines. 4. AIR MARION Soon after its annexation, the strategic potential of building an airstrip at Marion was noted. The idea was explored further, with an impact assessment being launched in the 1980’s. The report indicated dire consequences for the island’s ecosystem, most notably its bird species, which prompted the minister of Environmental Affairs at the time to rule against plans for the proposed airstrip (hoora!). February 2015 | 13 DANIËL KOTZÉ 7 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT MARION ISLAND 5. NAME GAMES The islands have been known by many names since their discovery in 1663. Marion and Prince Edward were originally known as Maerseveen and Dena. Later, Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne renamed the islands Ile de l’Esperance and Ile de la Caverne. It was only in 1776, that the famous Captain James Cook named the group the Prince Edward Islands. Thank goodness! Mearseveen 71 just doesn’t have the same ring to it! 6. MARION MAY SOON BE NOMINATED AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE UNESCO World Heritage Sites are natural or man-made places recognised by the United Nations (UN) as being highly significant. Recognised for their pristine ecosystems and natural heritage, the PEI’s are in the process of being nominated as such a site. Presently, the islands appear on UNESCO’s “tentative list”. 7. FEROCIOUS WINDS Referring to Marion as being windy is an understatement. The wind speed on Marion can exceed hurricane force, a fact which can be confirmed by the members of M55. On the evening of 1 January 1999, winds of 150km/h ripped the roof off a section of the old base. Finding themselves in open air accommodation, team members frantically tried to keep the furniture and carpets dry. Luckily, a military C130 airdropped supplies a few days later, including a heavy tarpaulin for repairing base, tobacco and newspapers for the team.

FANTASTIC Maybe it would taste better cooked, but seeing KERGUELEN that there is no need for me to worry about scurvy, I will leave the plants alone to grow and FLORA CABBAGE prosper in the field! I must admit, I really miss TEXT AND PHOTO BY LIEZL PRETORIUS big flowers here on Marion. Maybe someone should try and cultivate a green rose so that we antiscorbutica can remember Marion’s Kerguelen Cabbages while we walk through our rose gardens at This so-called ‘megaherb’ is the largest home… flowering plant on the Prince Edward Islands and reaches heights of approximately 25-70cm. VEGETABLE GONE WILD. A flowering Kerguelen Cabbage on the Most of the ones we’ve come across on Marion slopes of Repetto’s Hill. falls in the lower range with regards to height. The leaves form a shape reminding one of a rose, with the flowers being greenish and on long stalks. During late summer the stalks lengthen considerably and one notices seed capsules more readily. As the name suggests, it was used by sealers and sailors to ward off scurvy (due to its high vitamin C content). I have chewed on a leaf once or twice and for the first few seconds it’s nice and refreshing. The aftertaste however is less appetising (imagine a minty peppercorn). February 2015 | 14 EARLY NAMES TEXT BY JOHN COOPER

Many of Marion Island’s names are older than we TO THE SOUTH. An artist’s illustration of Captain think. John Cooper, an Ross’ two ships on which he set out to Antarctica, island veteran, takes us HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. back to their origins on a 19th century expedition.

On 6 April 1840 Captain Sir Commander Francis Rawdon Captain of the Terror. The fifth- James Clark Ross, R.N. in Moira Crozier R.N., passed north named feature linked to the command of the 1839-1843 of Marion a day later. Crozier expedition is the Ross Rocks off Antarctic Expedition sailed from noted a “remarkable detached the northern coastline of Prince Simon’s Town, South Africa in tower-shaped rock” (later Edward Island. It seems unlikely the HMS Erebus and HMS named Boot Rock by the Chal- Ross named these rocks after Terror. Kerguelen Island was his lenger Expedition in 1873). The himself as it seems he would not first destination, but he had two ships only met up again at have seen them personally. The plans to touch at the Prince Kerguelen the next month. name may have come from a Edward’s and Crozet’s on the Besides East Cape, Ross also later expedition, as they appear way. However, bad weather on named the southern-most Cape so named on the 1873 chart of their first night caused the com- Hooker and the northern Cape the Challenger. I am hoping pany to part the next day and Davis. Joseph Dalton Hooker that a planned visit to the library they proceeded separately to- (later Sir) was the Assistant of the UK’s Scott Polar Research wards Marion. The Erebus, with Surgeon (and unofficial botanist) Institute in May this year will Clark Ross aboard, arrived first, aboard the Erebus. He must shed light on the matter. on 21 April, sailing around the have been frustrated not to get James Clark Ross went on to southern coast of Marion past ashore. John Edward Davis R.N. discover the Ross Sea, the Ross “the East Cape” as he named it. (later Captain and an accom- Ice Shelf and the active volcano He dredged overnight but the plished water-colourist) was the Mount Erebus in Antarctica, next day’s weather was poor and second master of the Terror. eventually returning to the so he left for the Crozets without Ross also named Cape Crozier in England to be feted as a hero. being able to land on either Marion’s south-west corner after island. The Terror, captained by his Second in Command and February 2015 | 15 QUESTIONS BY FRANK VENTER YINHLA DANIËL

Yinhla Shihlomule and Daniël Kotzé make up the other half of the Marion Island Marine Project’s (MIMMP) team. They are nicknamed “kealers” due to their involvement in both killer whale and seal research, although Daniël primarily focusses on killer whales and Yinhla on seals. To learn more about these two gentlemen, we asked them a few questions.

LOW DE VRIES DANIËL 1. Give us a brief background of yourself. YINHLA I grew up in the heart of the Klein-Karoo and I am from Elim, Limpopo. I grew up fascinated by decided to study BSc Conservation Ecology at animals (though I don’t discriminate against Stellenbosch after school. I also completed an plants). I did a BSc in Zoology and Botany and MSc there in Plant Pathology (biological control) BSc Hons in Zoology at the University of Venda. before coming to Marion. I’m particularly interested in molecular biology. 2. What are your hobbies? Hiking, trial running, spearfishing, photography, Computer games, reading, listening to music and mountain biking, playing guitar and singing. playing pool. I also like to keep up with the news. 3. Take us through a day in the life of a kealer. Between August and January I spent most of my It’s interesting, and not dependent on the days at Kill Point (36-46 hours a week), waiting weather. We either hike long distances or sit at a for killer whales to pass to take photos for ID fixed position for hours. For elephant seals we do purposes, deploy satellite tags for a weekly census, counting seals along the tracking and get biopsy samples. beaches and reading tags. We also take photos It often got cold, wet and lonely, of the seals for a photogrammetry project. but team members stopping by Combining the photos produces a and a ‘French for dummies’ 3D image from which volume audiobook made the time fly. (weight) can be estimated.

The Count of Scar Face Monte Cristo

IT BEGINS. Two very excited (and shaven) kealers on the SA Agulhas II. February 2015 | 16 JOE KLAASSEN MEET THE KEALERS

Pancakes Fish & Chips

FURRBALL. Daniël getting better acquainted with a sub-Antarctic fur THE HIGH LIFE. Yinhla enjoying the spectacular seal pup at Ship’s Cove. view at Rooikasteel. LIEZLPRETORIUS DANIËL KOTZÉ 4. Why is it important to study killer whales at Marion Island? They are one of the most widespread mammal Killer whales are top predators and live highly species on earth. Within the species however social lives. Identifying individuals within these there are many differences between sub- social families at Marion (based on each one’s populations. Knowing the behaviour, diet and unique dorsal fin) helps to monitor the movement of this specific population at Marion population size of killer whales in the area. are essential for their future conservation. Knowing what they eat is also very important. 5. What has been the highlight of your expedition so far? Being able to get within touching distance of the To mention a few: seeing the first female killer whales, interact with them and see them elephant seal at landfall beach coming to breed hunt were very special moments. Witnessing the on my birthday, killer whales a metre from me, full lifecycle of all the endangered seabird Mixed Pickle solo hut nights for 14 days and species was certainly also a highlight. rescuing elephant seal pups from mud ponds. 6. What is left on your Marion bucket list? I would love to see the ice caves and summit Walk inland from Mixed Pickle to base and Mascarin Peak. My previous attempt ended in summit Tumor. I’m also going to try and drink bad weather. I also want to go camping! water from every stream on the island. 7. Would you rather do a 10 hour killer observation or climb over Azorellakop? It depends. During ‘killer whale season’ I would In hindsight of what I have gone through at Azo, definitely go for the observation, because you I would rather do the 10 hours (even on a snowy may have as many as 18 sightings! day!). I hate getting lost on a misty Azo. 8. What are your plans after this expedition? After shaving and eating fruit, I will marry the It’s scary to think it’s less than two months until most beautiful girl in the world! I’ll also be then! I am planning to enrol for an MSc, applying for jobs in the environmental sector. It hopefully doing a genetic project on some of will be a challenge, but I know God will provide. Marion’s mammal species. 9. What would be a quirky, non-scientific name for killer whales since they are not whales? Pandolphins – seeing that they look like pandas Ocean thugs – because they steal life from other and are in fact the largest species of dolphin. animals.

Kringe in ‘n Bos – Dalene Matthee The Bronze Horseman – Paullina Simons

Gone, gone, gone – Phillip Phillips When the day comes – Nico & Vinz February 2015 | 17 MEET THE KEALERS

BIRD LOVER. Marion gives one the opportunity to see animals up close, HEAVYWEIGHT. Yinhla just before weighing the first elephant seal like this Wandering Albatross close to Trypot Beach. weaner of the season at Archway Bay. DANIËL KOTZÉ DANIËL KOTZÉ 10. What will you miss most about this experience? The freedom of just being able to put on your I’m already missing elephant seal pups! I’ll miss gumboots and walk into the wilderness is drinking directly from streams (which I can’t do something I will miss. No roads, no cars, no at home), walking for hours without coming sirens, no air or water pollution and no across a person, sitting on a rock for 10 hours skyscrapers. I also won’t be able to get this close just listening to the silence and, of course, the to birds and mammals in South Africa! harsh weather! according to the

TEXT BY JOE KLAASEN MAXIMUM WIND GUST 178.8 km/h TOTAL RAINFALL 203.2 mm HIGHEST IN 24 HOURS 49.8 mm TOTAL DAYS WITH RAIN 22 days TOTAL DAYS > 1 MM 19 days TOTAL SUNSHINE 161.1 hours

The second highest rainfall in a day for this expedition was recorded during January (49.8mm!), only beaten by a 60.4mm day in May. Luckily we have been spoiled with wonderful warm days as well. The field workers have even RAIN MAN. Joe enjoying one of the downpours been complaining about the heat (especially with the Game energy drinks at base during the last month. practically finished!). The warm air also leads to foggy and humid conditions. DANIËL KOTZÉ AVERAGE MAXIMUM MINIMUM AVERAGE MAX AVERAGE MIN

TEMPERATURE 8.1°C 15.8°C 0.5°C 11°C 5.2°C PRESSURE 1004.8 hPa 1023.9 hPa 974.8 hPa 1010.5 hPa 998.9 hPa HUMIDITY 87% 100% 35% - - DATA COURTESY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE February 2015 | 18 Mseventyfun TEXT BY DANIËL KOTZÉ D a n i ë l and R e n d a n i ’s Volleyball Birthday P a r t y

On the 5th and 6th of February respectively, Rendani (31) and Daniël (26) celebrated their birthdays. The heli- hangar was once again the venue of choice. The volleyball net was set up, music was playing and pizza was served. Everyone seemed to be equally ungifted when it came to volleyball skills, but the competition was fierce. Congratulations to the winning team: David, Joe, Louise, Alexis and Daniël. The after party in the bar, LOW DE VRIES complete with soccer field- and hut shaped cakes, sealed a very memorable evening. Z u k o ’s Braai Birthday

Birder boy Zuko turned 29 on 18 February! His birthday was celebrated with a braai (with enough meat to feed a small army) and a punch. The game room was all cheers and sneers as pool and table tennis skills were matched throughout the evening. Congratulations Zuko, we hope your island birthday was one to remember! LIEZL PRETORIUS

LIEZL PRETORIUS

LIEZL PRETORIUS LOW DE VRIES LOW DE VRIES

February 2015 | 19 LOW DE VRIES LOW DE VRIES LOW DE VRIES TEAM COLLAGE COMPILED BY DANIËL KOTZÉ What has M71 been up to this month? Around the island KAROOKOP MOULT SAMPLING LUNCH TIME TO WATERTUNNEL! DANIËL KOTZÉ DANIËL KOTZÉ LOUISE GADNEY LOUISE GADNEY KATEDRAAL

KILLER OB NEVILLE LOW DE VRIES DANIËL KOTZÉ LIEZL PRETORIUS LIEZL PRETORIUS PUP WEIGH! MIXED PICKLE

KILL POINT SUNDOWNERS ALEXIS OSBORNE DANIËL KOTZÉ LOUISE GADNEY KAALKOPPIE INTERIOR

BREAD ROCK DANIËL KOTZÉ VONICA PEROLD VONICA PEROLD VONICA PEROLD Around base LOW DE VRIES LIEZL PRETORIUS VOLLEYBALL LIEZL PRETORIUS GENEVEIVE MOROKE

LIEZL PRETORIUS LOW DE VRIES

LIEZL PRETORIUS LIEZL PRETORIUS LOW DE VRIES LOW DE VRIES LOW DE VRIES LIEZL PRETORIUS CRANE POINT PARTY!

February 2015 | 20 DANIËL KOTZÉ LIEZL PRETORIUS LIEZL PRETORIUS LIEZL PRETORIUS